Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Transport the policy changes that he is considering in regard to the regulation of driving instructors; his views on making it mandatory for a learner driver to undergo a course of driving lessons from an accredited driving instructor before taking their driving test and making changes to the driving test cars; when changes will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17358/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 Section 4, registration of driving instructors is a function of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Under the Road Traffic (Driving Instructor Licensing) (No.2) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 203 of 2009), authorisation and registration of driving instructors and administration of driving instructor's licences are matters for the Road Safety Authority.

Action 72 of the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 contains a commitment to legislate for graduated driver licensing. Different versions of graduated driver licensing exist in a number of countries and consist of various combinations of measures, including mandatory tuition. I am currently considering proposals from the RSA for a graduated driver licensing system in Ireland, and mandatory tuition is one of the options under consideration.

I am aware that the RSA issues a written advice note to any prospective applicants for accreditation as driving instructors strongly advising them to undertake detailed market research to identify likely demand for their service in the location they propose to practice. They are also provided with details of driving test waiting numbers and numbers of holders of learner permits. I am pleased to report that the national average waiting time for a driving test is eight weeks and numbers waiting are at an all time low. I am not currently in receipt of any proposals regarding changes of rules for cars used in driver tests.